On another beautiful sunny 80-degree day in Newport, the morning brought us some breeze, but it was just inside the harbor and the current was against us, plus the sea breeze was coming if we could only wait for it.  The RC put up the postpone flag and we waited, and while we waited, Zeke Horowitz and Brian Hayes from North Sails put on a clinic for us that drew most of the competitors to the tent area to listen.  Lots of information was shared about rigging, sail trim, position of the team in the boat, and in general how to make the boat go faster.  About the time they were finishing up, in came the sea breeze, down came the postpone flag, and out went the fleet to the race course.

Despite the postponement, the RC was able to hold two races one 4-leg W-L and one 3-leg W-L finishing upwind near the Newport Bridge which was on the way back to Sail Newport.  The Southwest winds were steady at 10-12 for both races.  The windward mark was not far from a channel marker and boats had to decide whether to sneak in between the mark and the channel marker or go around the channel marker.  A few boats had trouble navigating that area but everyone got around it and it didn't look like any places changed based on which side of the marker you chose.  The right side has the freshest air in both races and the spinnaker runs were really a blast. On the way back in we mixed it up with a couple of 12-meters and I think we were beating them, well, maybe in our dreams!  Thanks to Larry Taggart for the photo.

Following racing was our Annual Meeting and Dinner, with "Lobsta" and chicken and steak, and no one went away hungry.  FSSA President John Domagala and Regatta Chair Diane Kampf presented Qualifier awards with Zeke and Jay Horowitz winning the Overall Qualifiers with 3 bullets.  We then gave away some fun raffle prizes - 50% off a Quantum Spinnaker, Quantum gift certificates and other Quantum items, 50% off a MAD spinnaker and other MAD items, several fun prizes from Flying Scot, Inc., Coral Reef Sailing Association, and some coolers and other neat stuff. John held the Annual Meeting, where we announced upcoming events, the Fleet of the Year, the slate of officers for next year, a few changes to our Class Rules, and finished off with the rest of the raffle prizes.  A fun night for everyone and one more race tomorrow.  Good luck to all!  Results are here.